Morocco captain, Achraf Hakimi, will stand trial in France over a rape allegation after an appeals court upheld a decision to proceed with the case.
The ruling was confirmed on Friday by the Versailles Court of Appeal, which found that evidence gathered during the investigation was sufficient for the matter to be heard before a trial court.
The Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender, widely regarded as one of the world’s best right-backs, has consistently denied the allegation. The case stems from a complaint filed by a 24-year-old woman, who accused the Moroccan international of raping her at his residence in a Paris suburb in 2023.
The court’s decision comes as Hakimi is representing Morocco at the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made just hours before Morocco’s Group C clash against Scotland. Morocco opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
In a statement, the Versailles appeals court said the investigations carried out during both the inquiry and judicial proceedings led judges to conclude that there was sufficient evidence to justify a trial.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, lawyer for the complainant, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant moment for her client.
“Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have her case heard at trial,” Pardo said. She added that the decision had given her client “a sense of relief and hope.”
According to Pardo, the upcoming trial could encourage other victims of sexual violence to come forward and help challenge what she described as a culture of denial and impunity.
Hakimi, however, strongly rejected the allegations and questioned why the case had proceeded this far. In a message posted on X, he suggested his public profile had influenced the situation.
“Justice looked me in the eye and told me: ‘If you were not famous, there would never have been a case,'” Hakimi wrote.
The 27-year-old defender said he had chosen to remain silent throughout much of the legal process because he believed the truth would eventually prevail.
“I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made,” he said.
Hakimi further stated that the case had affected not only him but also his family and reputation.
“I have been waiting for this trial since the first day. And I am now waiting for it impatiently. Finally, I will be able to speak,” he added.
No trial date has yet been announced.
However, Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, arguing that the evidence uncovered during the investigation should have led to the case being dismissed.
She maintained that the defence had identified inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and criticised what she described as obstacles to establishing the truth.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention given Hakimi’s status as one of football’s most recognisable stars and his recent success with PSG, where he helped the club secure back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.
